In the games

They appear many times in Pokémon Black and White, mostly to escort the player to either N or Ghetsis. They make very sudden ninja-like appearances, appearing seemingly out of thin air.

The Shadow Triad are the ones who enabled Ghetsis to evade arrest, creating an opening in which Ghetsis was able to escape Cheren's confinement. After defeating Team Plasma, they appear at Marvelous Bridge and on the orders of Ghetsis, give the player the Adamant Orb, Lustrous Orb, and Griseous Orb—the three orbs of the creation trio. However, on Ghetsis's orders, they make no attempt to find him.

In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, the Shadow Triad are first seen with Zinzolin on the Plasma Frigate. After the player, Cheren, and Hugh finish off the remainder of the Team Plasma Grunts, Zinzolin has the Shadow Triad to escort the player off the ship.

The Shadow Triad are later seen in Opelucid City after it has been frozen by the Plasma Frigate. They steal the DNA Splicers so that Ghetsis can use it on Kyurem, but are chased by the player and Drayden. After finally being caught, one of the members challenges the player to a battle, and even though he loses, they still get away.

The Shadow Triad are seen again on the Plasma Frigate after talking to Ghetsis about Kyurem. Each member battles the player after they give Hugh back his sister's Liepard. After defeating them, they allow the player to leave but warn them about Ghetsis and Kyurem, and end up staying behind with Hugh and Liepard.

After entering the Hall of Fame, they remain in Icirrus City and challenge the player monthly. Still loyal to Ghetsis, they attempt to restore his spirit by defeating the player.

"... Impressive, Gym Leader of Icirrus City. We, the Shadow Triad, are beings of shadows...and not easily noticed. Our mission was to speak only with <player>, but so be it. Ghetsis has a message for you: come to Dragonspiral Tower. It is there that our lord N waits for you. ...Now, our mission is complete."

"First, have your Pokémon rest in that room. When they are healed, it is our lord N's wish that you be moved to the innermost part of this castle."

Second encounter

"A battle between you and our lord N will reveal whether our lord N is an ideal heroB/a true heroW. It will also reveal how you feel about protecting the current world, where people live with Pokémon."

Third encounter

"That room was the world that was provided to our lord N..."

"I don't feel anything, even when I go into the room... But you may feel something."

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2

"As we suspected... The hiding place was in the Gym. Well thought out. If Drayden isn't there, we can't get in. If he is there, he's the strongest guard we could possibly face. It also explains why the Pokémon Gym was remodeled. Whatever. The DNA Splicers are in our hands now."

"Now you know, then. We will accomplish our goals, no matter what the cost. We don't have the ability to captivate the hearts of others like Lord N does. Instead, we will bend people to our will with brute force. Two years was a surprisingly long wait."

In front of the Route 11 gate

Before battle

"Heh heh... You don't really think you can take the DNA Splicers back, do you?."

When defeated

"I hate to admit it, but... You're a good Trainer."

After being defeated

"Aww. How unlucky. I don't happen to be the one holding the DNA Splicers. I was just buying time for the others to escape. Cheerio, bye-bye, whatever."

Later, while the other Gym Leaders are in Mistralton City discussing what to do with Team Plasma, the Shadow Triad attack Lenora and Hawes while they were about to leave in an attempt to get the Dark Stone. They have the advantage at first, but Lenora is later joined by her fellow Gym Leaders after arriving on a plane.

The Triad split up to fight the Gym Leaders in pairs, allowing an easier battle. The battle goes on with no clear victor until the Triad reveals their trump card, the legendary PokémonThundurus, Tornadus, and Landorus. With the power of the three Pokémon, the Triad trap the Gym Leaders in a swirling vortex of wind and electricity.

In their first appearance, they all were wearing identical black masks. In all later appearances, they are seen wearing different masks which resemble the elemental monkeys' facial patterns: the shading technique on each mask matches the techniques used on the monkeys and the bottom of the mask matches the shaping on the monkeys' faces.